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TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND ON ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE FOR THEIR FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE BLIND AND SEVERELY VISUALLY IMPAIRED CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE.
Whereas, the members of the Senate are pleased to learn that the Commission for the Blind has been providing commendable service in rehabilitating individuals who are legally blind and persons with conditions that lead to blindness for fifty years; and
Whereas, in the 1950s, the State Department of Public Welfare (DPW) provided services for South Carolinians who were blind or severely visually impaired. DPW's Division of the Blind taught home crafts, supervised vending operations, and placed clients in the Broom Shop; and
Whereas, at its 1964 convention, the South Carolina Aurora Club of the Blind, now known as the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, passed a resolution calling for the creation of a separate agency to serve individuals who are blind; and
Whereas, in early 1965, a public hearing on the matter resulted in the formation of a nine-member legislative committee charged with exploring the feasibility of creating a State Commission for the Blind; and
Whereas, after careful study, the committee recommended establishing a new agency and on May 6, 1966, the bill creating the South Carolina Commission for the Blind was signed; and
Whereas, the agency's goal is to become a national model vocational rehabilitation agency for the blind by bringing their mission to provide quality individualized vocational rehabilitation services, independent living services and prevention-of-blindness services to blind and visually impaired consumers to life. Through their work, the Commission hopes to lead individuals with eye impairments to competitive employment and social and economic independence; and
Whereas, the Commission for the Blind is to be commended for its ongoing and dedicated efforts to prevent blindness whenever possible. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate the South Carolina Commission for the Blind on its fiftieth anniversary and express appreciation and gratitude for their fifty years of service to the blind and severely visually impaired citizens of this great State.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. James Kirby, Commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
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